'Walk a Mile in My Shoes': stories of recovery in art therapy.
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| Title: | 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes': stories of recovery in art therapy. |
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| Authors: | Meyers, Laura1 (AUTHOR) laura@meyers.net |
| Source: | International Journal of Art Therapy: Inscape. Dec2024, Vol. 29 Issue 4, p221-229. 9p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Community support, *Empathy, *Emotions, *Motivation (Psychology), *Art therapy, *Case studies, Substance abuse prevention, Substance abuse treatment, Touch, Affinity groups, Treatment effectiveness, Shoes, Loneliness, Emotional trauma, Walking, Convalescence, Conceptual structures, Treatment programs |
| Abstract: | Background: The 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes' (Shoes) art therapy approach was developed as part of substance use treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic to give patients a platform where their stories could be told and shared. This paper describes this directive approach. Case examples explore the importance of addressing loneliness, acceptance and attachment, while fostering connection to a supportive community. Context: Shoes was facilitated at an adult inpatient substance use rehabilitation unit and was available to all patients, upon request. Approach: The Shoes approach is underpinned by a theoretical framework including attachment theory alongside theories relating touch and trauma recovery in art therapy. Outcomes: The people who used the Shoes service fed back that they experienced a sense of acceptance and support and connection to a supportive community. Conclusions: The Shoes project goals and outcomes align with similar treatment perspectives, focusing on self-acceptance and connection to a supportive community. Attachment, empathy and acceptance were expressed between the therapist and client, through the use of touch, proximity, and co-creation. Peers on the unit reinforced and validated connection and acceptance by interacting with Shoes. Implications for research: Further research warranted includes: impact of touch and proximity in art therapy across cultures; long-term outcomes on motivation and connection; impact of therapist–client demographics on attachment and treatment outcomes; adaptability of project. Plain-Language Summary: Trauma is prevalent among people who struggle with substance misuse, contributing to feelings of shame and loneliness, impacting self-worth, identity, and connection to others. Providing reparative attachment experiences, through relational interactions of empathy, acceptance, and encouragement, may provide clients opportunities to feel empowered to share their stories, connecting them to treatment and sobriety. Art therapy aims to help clients explore their emotions, thoughts, and experiences, encouraging self-reflection and change through the art product and process. Additional non-verbal interventions, such as the use of touch and proximity, are embedded in art therapy interactions, serving to shift power dynamics, provide healthy attachment through expressions of empathy and support, and give clients a sense of control over their emotional experiences. 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes' (Shoes) is an approach to art therapy that began during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when, even on the unit, clients felt a sense of isolation. Shoes was meant to give space for individuals to reflect on their experiences, but also connect them to the community that they felt so distanced from. This project is ongoing, as themes of shame, loneliness, identity, and connection are important pieces of substance use treatment. The first connection, between client and art therapist, during shoe construction, began with cultivating a sense of safety and containment, through the use of touch and co-creation of the shoe, fostering exploration of personal symbols, empowering words, and identification of triggers, symbolically illustrating the acceptance of all parts of self. Sharing stories encouraged clients to discuss their recovery, in their own words. The aim was to facilitate each person to take authorship of their narrative, increase self-acceptance, and make meaning of their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Abstract: | Background: The 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes' (Shoes) art therapy approach was developed as part of substance use treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic to give patients a platform where their stories could be told and shared. This paper describes this directive approach. Case examples explore the importance of addressing loneliness, acceptance and attachment, while fostering connection to a supportive community. Context: Shoes was facilitated at an adult inpatient substance use rehabilitation unit and was available to all patients, upon request. Approach: The Shoes approach is underpinned by a theoretical framework including attachment theory alongside theories relating touch and trauma recovery in art therapy. Outcomes: The people who used the Shoes service fed back that they experienced a sense of acceptance and support and connection to a supportive community. Conclusions: The Shoes project goals and outcomes align with similar treatment perspectives, focusing on self-acceptance and connection to a supportive community. Attachment, empathy and acceptance were expressed between the therapist and client, through the use of touch, proximity, and co-creation. Peers on the unit reinforced and validated connection and acceptance by interacting with Shoes. Implications for research: Further research warranted includes: impact of touch and proximity in art therapy across cultures; long-term outcomes on motivation and connection; impact of therapist–client demographics on attachment and treatment outcomes; adaptability of project. Plain-Language Summary: Trauma is prevalent among people who struggle with substance misuse, contributing to feelings of shame and loneliness, impacting self-worth, identity, and connection to others. Providing reparative attachment experiences, through relational interactions of empathy, acceptance, and encouragement, may provide clients opportunities to feel empowered to share their stories, connecting them to treatment and sobriety. Art therapy aims to help clients explore their emotions, thoughts, and experiences, encouraging self-reflection and change through the art product and process. Additional non-verbal interventions, such as the use of touch and proximity, are embedded in art therapy interactions, serving to shift power dynamics, provide healthy attachment through expressions of empathy and support, and give clients a sense of control over their emotional experiences. 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes' (Shoes) is an approach to art therapy that began during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when, even on the unit, clients felt a sense of isolation. Shoes was meant to give space for individuals to reflect on their experiences, but also connect them to the community that they felt so distanced from. This project is ongoing, as themes of shame, loneliness, identity, and connection are important pieces of substance use treatment. The first connection, between client and art therapist, during shoe construction, began with cultivating a sense of safety and containment, through the use of touch and co-creation of the shoe, fostering exploration of personal symbols, empowering words, and identification of triggers, symbolically illustrating the acceptance of all parts of self. Sharing stories encouraged clients to discuss their recovery, in their own words. The aim was to facilitate each person to take authorship of their narrative, increase self-acceptance, and make meaning of their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 17454832 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/17454832.2024.2347903 |
